(ACLASS: Alexandria, VA) -- The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved the ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board/ACLASS to accredit laboratories that perform testing of telecommunication equipment subject to FCC rules.
Based on FCC review of the information submitted by ACLASS and comments received during a public comment period, the FCC’s Office of Engineering and Technology determined that ACLASS has demonstrated that it possesses appropriate credentials and expertise to perform accreditation of testing labs that test equipment to FCC requirements.
“The FCC recognition of ACLASS complements our NIST-National Voluntary Conformity Assessment System Evaluation (NVCASE) recognition, and allows ACLASS and ANSI to serve telecommunications customers as a one-stop shop,” Keith Greenaway, vice president of ACLASS, says.
The U.S. government relies on the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to accredit telecommunication certification bodies (TCBs) under the FCC program that enforces rules for manufacturers of telecommunications and radio communication equipment. The TCBs, in turn, process FCC approvals for telecommunications terminal equipment under FCC regulations.
The TCBs are required to be accredited to ISO/IEC Guide 65,—“General requirements for bodies operating certification systems,” which ANSI provides, and to ISO/IEC 17025—“General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories,” which ACLASS provides. The FCC recognition of ACLASS means TCBs can now be qualified jointly by ANSI and ACLASS.
Laboratories that are accredited by ACLASS will be entered in an FCC database of laboratories qualified to conduct FCC testing.
“The FCC recognition of both ACLASS and ANSI augments the confidence and credibility associated with our accreditations in the marketplace,” says Lane Hallenbeck, ANSI vice president of accreditation services. “We are pleased to offer this additional value to those telecommunication certification bodies that are conducting multiple conformity assessment activities.”
The ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board helps ensure the safety and quality of goods and services, in protecting the environment, and to facilitate international trade and eliminate the expense of redundant audits and tests. It provides accreditation services under the ACLASS, ANAB, and FQS brands. ACLASS provides accreditation for calibration and testing laboratories, inspection bodies, reference material producers, proficiency testing providers, and numerous industry-specific programs. ANAB assesses and accredits certification bodies that demonstrate competence to audit and certify organizations conforming to management systems standards. FQS provides accreditation to forensic testing agencies through Florida-based Forensic Quality Services Inc., a nonprofit membership organization that also offers a variety of training, workshops, and academic programs.
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